Bottle filling apparatus



Oct. 15, 1957 T. HAMNER 2,809,677

BOTTLE FILLING APPARATUS Filed July 18,. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l filmin ,E 16

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS jewzsyimmyr.

Oct. 15, 1957 L. T. HAMNER 2,809,677

BOTTLE FILLING APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 5d 58 A 40 5 56' 5' 56 40 55 A 5 Z5- INVENTOR 3 e A Zea/i6 TJZQZmYZAZY.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 15, 1957 1..1'. HAMNER 2,3@9,677

BOTTLE FILLING APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ElEE.

76 M /56 5 7% if INVENTOR Jewza" f famrzefi United States Patent 2,809,677 BOTTLE FILLING APPARATUS Lewis T. Hamner, Petersburg, Va., assignor to Vacuum Motor Corporation, Petersburg, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application July 18, 1955, Serial No. 522,448

24 Claims. (Cl. 141--59) This invention relates to a bottle filling apparatus of the general type in which bottle filling is induced by evacuation of air from the bottles. It also relates to an apparatus of this general type in which bottle filling means (one or more filling heads) and bottle supporting means (conveyor or other support) are relatively movable into and from bottle filling relation with each other by means of a vacuum-actuated servo-motor connected with one of said means.

One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bottle filling apparatus in which a single control valve assembly is provided for controlling the operation of both the vacuum-actuated servo-motor and the bottle filling means regardless of the number of filling heads employed.

Another object is to provide a new and improved bottle filling apparatus in which only one valve casing is required for operatively relating all necessary vacuum lines with the valve means.

Yet another object is to provide a novel bottle filling apparatus in which one valve body is operable to control the servo-motor and in which said one valve body acts as an actuator for a second valve body which controls the operation of the bottle filling means.

A further object is to provide a novel bottle filling apparatus embodying the two aforesaid valve bodies and also embodying novel connecting means between said bodies for permitting further movement of said one valve body after the latter has moved said second body to the position at which it terminates the bottle filling operation, said further movement of said one body serving to operate the servo-motor to separate the filling means from the filled bottle or bottles.

Another object is to provide the vacuum control valve with means for admitting air to either end of the servomotor when air is being exhausted from its other end to operate said servo-motor.

A still further object is to provide a novel bottle filling apparatus in which there Will be no drip from the filling means as the latter and the filled bottle or bottles are separated at the completion of each filling operation.

Another object is to provide a novel bottle filling apparatus in which most of the liquid drawn into vacuum lines after filling of the bottle or bottles, will be vacuumdrawn to an overflow tank and will be automatically returned to the liquid supply tank.

A further object is to provide for excluding atmospheric air from any liquid left trapped in the apparatus at the end of each filling cycle, thus preventing agitation and foaming of the trapped liquid and preventing foam troubles which might otherwise occur.

A still further object is to provide a novel bottle filling apparatus in which the liquid is drawn upwardly by vacuum through a tube from a supply tank to a bottle filling passage of each filling head and is then drawn downwardly through this passage into the bottle, provision be ing made for automatically admitting air to said passage 2,809,677 Patented. Oct. 15, 1957 2 a before the filling head leaves the bottle, thereby allowing liquid below the air admitting means to drain into'the bottle and also permitting the liquid in said tube to syphon back to the supply tank.

A further object is to provide a novel construction for,

each filling head, including a valve which automatically closes the liquid discharge nipple of said filling head before this nipple leaves the filled bottle, to prevent drip from said nipple. A A

A still further object is to provide a novel apparatus in which the filling means is movable to and from bottle filling position and in which a flexible vacuum line extends from said filling means to the control valve, said line being the only line of the apparatus which need be flexible.

Another object is to provide a bottle filling apparatus embodying the aforesaid servo-motor and overflow tank, and also including means for automatically breaking the vacuum in said overfiow tank after each bottle filling operation, permitting liquid in this tank to drain back to the supply tank through a drain passage provided with a check valve for this purpose.

A still further object is to provide a generally improved and simplified apparatus whichimaybe efficiently and rapidly operated without danger of causing any foaming of the liquid discharged into the bottles.

With the above and other objects in view that will here-- inafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is an end elevation partly broken away and in section showing a simple a form of the apparatus in operation.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 22 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through any of the filling heads of Figure 2, for example on line 33 of that view.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the filling head just after its air admitting means has and its liquid passage valve has closed.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional in elevation, trol valve.

Figures 6 to 11 inclusive are diagrammatic views showing the vacuum control valve in various positions, Figure 6 being the normal or between-filling-cycles position and Figure 9 the bottle filling position.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings will be rather specifically described but attention is invited to the possibility of making variations, even such variation as to convert the hand-controlled apparatus disopened view, partly showing the construction of the vacuum conclosed, into an automatic apparatus.

A supporting structure 12 is provided, including a table 13 and two spaced standards 14 and 15 rising rigidly from said table. A servomotor 16 is mounted on the standard 14 and the standard 15 supports a control valve assembly 17. V

The servomotor 16 is in the form of a cylinder-and-piston-assembly, the cylinder of which is denoted at 18, the

piston at 19 and the piston rod at 20. The lower end of the piston rod 20 is centrally secured to a horizontally elongated carrier bar 21 which carries a gang of vertically elongated filler heads 22 for descent onto bottles 23 to be filled and ascent from the filled bottles. In the present: disclosure, the bottles 23 are supported by the table 13- in a row between two guide rails 24. A suitable stop 25 is shown for the first bottle of the row and as the adja-;

cent bottles contact with each other, said stop 'willsulficc t the lower side of the collar'3-7' and may well be from upper and lower sectiqne asshownt "A second yield- 7 b i p e iid dfhpqh' th hpperrs deiqf the.

for all, insuring alignment ofthe bottles with the filling heads 22. The stop 25 may be mounted for projection and retraction in any desired way and when said stop is retra te he l he le lme he l d. h hs. t iet hle 1.3+ eh e v v Qt Ea s d 22% is ff th cons ru tion ho 1 Figures 3' and 4. A vertical body 26 is provided, haying ite upper en eeme a 21 to e carrier barn, T le end f; h b dy 2 edueeda 28 a dnre i'ded w h e a e el ex r m ty 23 fhehedy 2, f l t rmed i two. e e l p e d henih s-i la 31, and d body is also formed" with a'vertical' passage 32 which e m e th h lew rmee e ehiha 31., and ext n ow war ly h I i 31;; j I' pas a e on st rnugh e o e khe h tr f a d body 26-. 1A t1. e t ee t h flzext hde h ehg t e 'naeeeae 32. hsl of eonsidr er h 'l e' iameter han a d.pa sag v The upper end. of the tube 33"is threaded at 34 into the body 26 and comh ie e w h he ppe en mas he t be sap ie e h er iY e 'f mi' he owe end. the ody 6 s Pr ide w a pwar ly fa in v lve hea as; Immediately ab v th s, alx hea 35.; an pe i g 3 x m t e nt r to th x er or or t e tu e, 3.

e l r Qhh ehe d wnward y pr jecti g lower end portion of the tube 33 and is provided wiI-h, 3 downw y p eie h i p e 3 r eeeptiqh i a bo n sa d e l r an nippl .81havih a passage 39 Which r deaid pr iee ihs lower e d per i ne th tube 33; The lower endof thenipple 38 1s provided with e n rd y i e h al e s at er e eetion with the f' e he e j he t th t a i 4 O e gasket ei uh er'hr e her y eldah e ma e ah S r n s the pp pe ien. Qt he ipp e 3 87 tprseat. egainst'the pp r n e j 'he t el .9 2- h gaske b formed collar 37 for sealing engagement with the lower extremity. 29 ofthe body 26. f I

A coiled compression lower portion 28 of the body 26, a c ts downwardly on} the collar '37 'and'reacts upon said body 2 6. This spring, normally (head 22 'fully raised) holds {the collar 37 depressed to the limit, the valve seat'40, being then seated against the, valve head 35, and'the: gasket 42 being then spaced downwardly from, the lower extremity 29 of'the b 6- T i es e posit on. Qf e tel e 3 ppea springi43'surrounds the reduced bracket secured to the standard 14, said overflow tank 49 being disposed above the supply tank 44 and being closed to the atmosphere. A liquid return pipe 51'extends downwardly from the overflow tank 49 and is provided with a check valve 52 which opens toward said supply tank 44. The manner in which these elements function will be hereinafter explained;

The control valve assembly 17 (see more particularly Figure 5) includes a cylindrical casing 53 shown verticall'y dispo ed. easing is; provided near its lower end with a downwardly facing internal shoulder 54. Above this shoulder 54, the casing side wall has five ports-55, '56,

57, 58s and 5-9, port beingnear the upper endof the casing, port 58 being near the shoulder 54,"port' 56 being' spaced below port -55,-port- 57' being-spaced above port 58, and port 59 being substantially mid-way between the ports 56 and 57 and preferably at the opposite side of the c s n 5 Bel w th should r 5 th as ng 5.4

two Ports 60 and. fihper .0 bein he eaeih sidewall near the lower end wall 62, ,while port 61 extends through, said end wall 62, This port 61 surrounded by an up- Werdly ae h a v eat 63-v of any pp pr at m terial t0.

7 resist da age f om the qui to e bottl d Qne vacuum line 64 (see more particularly Figures'l n x nd from theupper n of the er -mo or cylinder 18 to the port 57, and a second vacuum linee65, extends from the lower end of said .cylinderQlS to the p t 561 A. thir vacuum in 6.6 ttends I H h cuum manifold 41 or the, filling heads 22. to the port so, am

as. said manifoldrrnust ascend and descend with the filling heads, said third line 66is flexible. A fourth vacuumline.

67 extends from an above-liquid zone of the overflow tank;

' 4910 6 por 1, and a fifth acuu ine 68 exten 'f in Figure 4 thqh h h l h ad. 1 is ra e in o normal 'or fully raised'position in this view instead of ac-e tuelly c p n said Reei h- As hehe d 2,2 des en n thes h j de cent. the collar 37 y n.- tact ththe b tle-he k ur he dese n o he, bod fi 7 opens the valve head 35 and then seats the, lower exe it .9 O he b y 26. hi et g l hgeinet h gasket 42 .e j),- The nc ons i hese pe i ns wil be fully explained herein after.

A liquid u p y e th 44 (se F ure 1') is, m unted on e the table 13 and liquid conducting tubes 45, equal in numher t t l n .h dell ext h reme aid' upn y tank 44;, to, the openings iil of the various bodies 26, respectively. These tubes '45 are of ,rigidefonn and they are 7 valve body 72 thus constitutes an actuator for the lower bodily movable withthe bodies 2l6, and the lower open 1 ends 4601? said tubes extend into the liquid in the supply tank Ae the u es .5 ondu l n idfte. the. pe e e 32 39 e eee h e h ifie fas a battle fi l es pa sa eeeem m h ehi, 41 (hi h st .e e lpara11e h eait er her. 1; 1 4 Ii .II PP 48 lai e. sa anh in eqmhi hie i i ht h e ehihss 3 'efi he v iensh r hs 'h he T e eth r-t3. Qf e ehi Iheheri fii here he ee e eh-ex e a ien he eae eh the evacuation of air from the 'bottles through the various. tubes'3'3 induees bottle filling by way ofthe tubes 45 and thefibottle filling passages'32, 3; 7' 7' V An overflow" tank 49- (Figure-l) is mounted on a s he liquid z ne to. the se ond line, 6.5; an rnm nicatesthrougha portion of the latter with the port A float valve 69 is preferably provided at the tank endof e lin 68.- A main vaeuuin inen e c n t to the v Port 59 and exte ds o a vacuum. pump 7 m u edhhder the able 13- e 7 7 A novel valve means is provided in the casing 53, for controlling the ou PQ tS and vac um nes toeeehse p a i ot the serv ri hqtor Miam e fi i gh ad 2 Te construction of this valve means is showntprirnar'ily in Figure 5 towhich'reference is now made.

An upper valve body 72, is slidablein the casing 53tor controlling communication of the main vacuum line 70 i h he in e ..64 Q -With thee mmuhicating ihe 6 and 68. V A lowervalve body 7a is also 'slidable in the easing 53 below theshoulder 54 for controlling communication between the lines 66 and 67. 'In its lowered position in wh ch i obet e s e hhh h eat n e en t li es 66 and 67, this lower valve body rests on the seat 63 see Fi re 7', 10 n 11). e

Operating means 74', 75 is connected with the upper valve body 72 for sliding it upwardlye and downvv ar dly, and an operating eonnection 7 6V is provided from said upper valve body 72 to the lower valve body 73. The upper valve body 73 However, the connecting means 73 is constructedto permit certain relative movements of the tively, ,The upper valve body 72 is also formed with othe 1Q i h P fiPh p 8. whic lways orn:

municates. with the casing port 59 to which the main vacuum line 70 is connected. 7 The twosports 77 and78,

omm nicat ou e nne in p r 7 4 T e pp I val e 'he y 7 .es,. 9 h1ed: el e i h ahj ehgat d; p r pheral ent eiiee iye. o eqhhee he w e a ihg Pe le 5, and 8 uh hsaid o y 7. euP ee h u y evi ed ph 'itiehht g res 5 and h ee, communica P 1 857, 58;

n ha eadmit a me phe e. air to t e line .2 the valve bodyl72 is being'downwardly moved (Figures '10 and 11) to its fully lowered position (Figure 6) it uncovers the casing port 56 to admit atmospheric air (see Figure 1 1) into the lines 65 and 68 both of which communicate with said port 56. The admission of air to the three lines 64, 65 and 68, is effected for reasons which will be explained under the heading Operation" appearing hereinafter.

The connecting means 76 between the upper valve body 72 and the lower valve body 73 is preferably constructed as seen in Figure 5. A stud 81 is threaded in and projects downwardly from the upper body 72, the lower body 73 being formed with a socket 82 slidably receiving the projecting portion of said stud. This stud portion is formed with a longitudinal slot 83 through which a pin 84 extends, said pin being carried by the lower body 73. A coiled compression spring 85 surrounds the stud 81, acts downwardly on the lower body 73 and reacts on the upper body 72. This spring 85 normally separates the two bodies 72 and 73 to the extent permitted by the slot 83 and pin 84.

As the upper valve body 72 is being slid downwardly (Figures and 11) the spring 85 pushes the lower valve body 73 downwardly until said lower body is seated on the seat 63 (see Figure 10) Then, further descent of the upper body 72 (Figure 11) to the position of Figure 6, compresses the spring 85, and during this operation the stud 81 slides down in the socket 82. When the upper valve body 72 is again moved upwardly (Figure 7) the spring 85 holds the lower valve body 73 against the seat 63 until the lower end of the slot 83 abuts the pin 84. The upper body 72 then pulls the lower body 73 upwardly (Figure 8). The upward movement of the two valve bodies 72 and 73, then traveling in unison, is limited by engagement of the lower body 73 with the internal casing shoulder 54 (see Figures 5 and 9). The further descent of the upper body 72 after seating of the lower body 73 on the seat 63 (above explained) may be limited by striking of said upper body 72 upon said lower body (see Figure 6) or by striking of the stud 81 against the lower end of the socket 82.

Operation Normally (before operation or between filling cycles) the control valveassembly 17 stands as shown in Fig ure 6. The carrier 21 and filling heads 22 then occupy fully raised'position, and the elements of each filling head are in the same relative positions as in Figure 4.collar 37 down and valve seat 40 closedagainst valve head 35. The vacuum pumpis now exerting vacuum pull through the vacuum line 64 (Figure 6) holding the servo-motor piston 19 at the upperend of the cylinder 18. V I

Empty bottles to be filled are slid between the guide rails 24 to the position determined by the stop 25, placing their necks in substantial alignment with the nipples 38 of the filling heads-22. Thevalve operating means 75, 74 is now operated to start upward movement of the upper valve body 72 (Figure 7), During further upward movement of the valve body 72 from the position of Figure 7, it applies vacuum to the line 65 and admits air to the line 64. -Consequently, the piston 19 moves downwardly, lowering the filling heads 22. Immediately after the nipples 38 enter thebottle necks, the lower gaskets 41 seat fluid-tightly on said necks. As the bodies 26 continue downwardly, the springs 43 compress, the lower ends 29 of said bodies approach the upper gaskets 42, and the valve heads 35 start to open. During part of the downward travel of the piston 19, vacuum pull has been exerted through the line 68, the overflow tank 49 and the line 67 but has stopped here as the lower valve body 73 has remained closed. Upon more upward movement of the valve body 72' (see' Figure 8), at which time the descent of the filler heads 22 is complete (29 against 42, and 35 fully. open), the upper valve body 72 starts to lift the lower valve body 73 to' the fully open position of Figure 9. Opening of this valve body 73 places the lines 66 and 67 incommunication with each other so that the vacuum pull continues through line 66, manifold 47, nipples 48 and tubes 33 to: evacuate air from thebottles (see Figures l,

3 and 9). This evacuation of air creates a vacuum-pull in the bottles-with the result that liquid flows into them from the supply tank 44 through the tubes 45 and the passages 32, 38 as shown by the arrows A in Figures 1 and 3.

During the above explained descent of the servo-motor piston 19, air has been admitted as required into the upper end of the cylinder 18 by Way of the ports 57, 58 and 80 and the line 64 (see Figure 8) At the end of the bottle filling operation, the valve operating means 74, 75 is operated to again lower the valve bodies 72 and 73. The first part of thisbody lowering movement causes closing of the lower valve body 73 upon the seat 63 (Figure 10), thus cutting off the line 66 from the vacuum pull in line 67 and momentarily trapping vacuum in said line 66, the manifold 47, nipples 48, passages 32, 39 and the bottles. This induces some afterfiow of liquid up the tubes 33 into the manifold 47 and into the line 66. However, upon the next filling cycle, while some of this liquid will remain in the line 66 and possibly some in the manifold 47, most of it will be drawn into the overflow tank 49. As the valve bodies 72 and 73 continue their downward movement (Figure 11), the upper body 72 uncovers the casing port 56 allowing communication of the communicating lines and 68 with the air admission port 55. Thus the vacuum which has existed in the overflow tank 49 is broken and any liquid previously received in this tank may gravitate back to the supply tank 44 through the pipe 51 and check valve 52. The admission of air to the line 65 breaks the vacuum which has been holding the servo-motor piston 19 in lowered position and thus prepares the servo-motor for operation to lift the carrier 21 and filling heads 22. The final descent of the upper valve body 72 places the line 64 in communication with the main vacuum line (see Figures 11 and 6, respectively). The result is that the servo-motor 16 starts to elevate the carrier 21 and the filling heads 22.

As the filling heads 22 ascend, three operations successively occur. One, the valve bodies 26 leave the gaskets 42; two, the valve heads 35 close against the seats 40; and three, the collars 37 with their gaskets 41 and nipples 38 ascend from the bottles. Operation one separates the passages 32 and 39 and admits air to them. Consequently, liquid will drain from passages 39 into the bottle and liquid in the passages 32 and tubes 45 will siphon back into the supply tank 44. Operation two insures that there shall be no drip from the filling heads as they continue upwardly. Operation three is followed by complete ascent of the filling heads to raised position in readiness for the next cycle of operation. The control valve assembly now again stands as shown in Figure 6.

.It was above stated that some liquid will remain in the line 66 and possibly some in the manifold 47 after a bottle filling cycle. However, no atmospheric air, admitted to the overflow tank liquid through the line 67, due to the fact that the lower valve body 73 segregates the two lines 66 and 67 before the control valve admits air to said overflow tank 49. This exclusion of atmospheric air prevents agitation and foaming of the trapped liquid and overcomes foam troubles which might otherwise occur.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a novel and advantageous apparatus has been provided for attaining the desired ends. However, attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A bottle filling apparatus comprising bottle supporting means, bottle filling means of a type which induces bottle filling by evacuation of air from the bottles, a vacuum-actuated servo-motor connected with said filling means for moving the same into and from a bottle engaging filling position, vacuum lines operatively connected with said servo-motor and said bottle filling means, vacuum creating means, a main vacuum line connected with'said 49, can reach this trapped vacuum line extends, valve means. in said casing, and operating means for said valve means, said valve means having portions for one, controlling communication between said main vacuum line and said first and second vacuum lines, two for controlling communication between said main Vacuum line and said fifth vacuum line, three for controlling communication between said third and fourth vacuum lines, and four for admitting air to said fifth vacuum line after completion of each bottle filling operation.

14. A structure as specified in claim 13; said valve means comprising one body ported to control communication of said main vacuum line with said first, second and fifth vacuum lines, a second body for controlling communication between said third and fourth vacuum lines, and connecting means between said bodies for transmitting movement from said one body to said second body, said connecting means being constructed to allow continued movement of said one body in fill terminating direction after said one body has moved said second body to the position in which the latter obstructs communication between said third and fourth vacuum lines, and to leave said second body in this obstructing position during part of the movement of said one body in bottle-filling direction, the aforesaid operating means being connected with said one body.

15. A structure as specified in claim 13; said valve means comprising one body ported to control communication of said main vacuum line with said first, second and fifth vacuum lines, a second body for controlling commu nication between said third and fourth vacuum lines, and connecting means between said bodies for transmitting movement from said one body to said second body, said connecting means being constructed to allow continued movement of said one body in fill terminating direction after said one body has moved said second body to the position in which the latter obstructs communication between said third and fourth vacuum lines, and to leave said second body in this obstructing position during part of the movement of said one body in bottle-filling direction, the aforesaid operating means being connected with said one body, said second valve body being movable to said obstructing position before said one body admits air to said fifth line, to thereby prevent the admitted air from reaching any liquid trapped in said third line.

16. In a bottle filling apparatus, a filling head having an air evacuating passage and a bottle filling passage, a liquid supply tank, a liquid conducting tube extending from said liquid supply tank to said bottle filling passage, an overflow tank above said liquid supply tank, a liquid return passage from said overflow tank to said supply tank, said liquid return passage having a check valve which opens toward said supply tank, a valve casing, a vacuum line from said valve casing to said bottle filling passage, another vacuum line from said valve casing to an above-liquid zone of said overflow tank, valve-controlled means for creating vacuum in said overflow tank to effect bottle filling and for admitting air to this tank upon completion of bottle filling, and a valve in said casing for controlling communication between said vacuum lines, said valve being closable before admission of air to said overflow tank to prevent the admitted air from reaching any liquid trapped in the first named vacuum line at the termination of the filling operation, and means for vertically reciprocating the filling head to present said head in a filling position wherein the bottle filling passage and the bottle evacuating passage both are projected into a bottle to be filled and then for again removing said filling head from said filling position.

17. A bottle filling apparatus comprising a supporting structure including a support for a group of aligned bottles, a horizontally elongated carrier mounted for vertical movement above said bottle support, a servomotor mounted on said supporting structure and connected with said carrier for raising and lowering the same, a gang of filling heads carried by said carrier, each of said filling heads having anair evacuating passage and a bottle filling passage, a vacuum manifold movable bodily with said filling heads and communicating with the air evacuating passages thereof, a liquid supply tank mounted on said supporting structure in laterally spaced relation with said bottle support, liquid conducting means movable with said filling heads and communicating with the bottle filling passages thereof, said liquid conducting means extending downwardly below the liquid level of said supply tank, a valve casing mounted on said supporting structure, a first vacuum line from one end of said servo-motor to said valve casing, a second vacuum line from the other end of said servo-motor to said valve casing, a third and flexible vacuum line from the aforesaid manifold to said valve casing, a fourth vacuum line extending from said valve casing, a fifth vacuum line communicating with said fourth vacuum line and extending to said valve casing, a main vacuum line extending from said valve casing, vacuum creating means communicating with said main vacuum line and mounted on said supporting structure, valve means in said valve casing, and operating means for said valve means, said valve means having portions for one, controlling communication between said main vacuum line and said first and second vacuum lines, two for controlling communication between said main vacuum line and said fifth vacuum line, and three for controlling communication between said third and fourth vacuum lines.

18. A structure as specified in claim 17; together with an overflow tank which places said fourth and fifth vacuum lines in communication with each other, said overflow tank being mounted on said supporting structure above said supply tank, a liquid return passage from said overflow tank to said supply tank, and a check valve for this passage arranged to open toward said supply tank, said valve means having .a portion effective to admit air to said fifth vacuum line when said valve means is moved to carrier-elevated position.

19. A structure as specified in claim 17; together with an overflow tank which places said fourth and fifth vacuum lines in communication with each other, said overflow tank being mounted on said supporting structure above said supply tank, a liquid return passage from said overflow tank to said supply tank, and a check valve for this passage arranged to open toward said supply tank, said valve means having a portion effective to admit air to said fifth vacuum line when said valve means is moved to carrier-elevated position, said filling heads each having a self-closing valve for its air-evacuating and bottle filling passages, and means for opening these valves as the filling heads are raised from the filled bottles.

20. A structure as specified in claim 17; together with an overflow tank which places said fourth and fifth vacuum lines in communication with each other, said overflow tank being mounted on said supporting structure above said supply tank, a liquid return passage from said overflow tank to said supply tank, and a check valve for this passage arranged to open toward said supply tank, said valve means having a portion effective to admit air to said fifth vacuum line when said valve means is moved to carrier-elevated position, said filling heads each having means for admitting air to its bottle filling passage as the filling heads are raised from the filled bottles.

21. A structure as specified in claim 17; together with an overflow tank which places said fourth and fifth vacuum lines in communication with each other, said overflow tank being mounted on said supporting structure above said supply tank, a liquid return passage from said overflow tank to said supply tank, and a check valve for this passage arranged to open toward said supply tank, said valve means having a portion eflective to admit air to said fifth vacuum line when said valve means is moved to carrier-elevated position, said filling heads each having a self-closing valve for its air-evacuating and bottle filling passages, and means for opening .these valves as the filling heads aretraised from the filled bottles, said filling heads each having means ,foradmitting air to its bottle filling passage as the filling heads are raisedfrom the filled bottles. v V

22. A bottle filling head comprising a body having one opening for connection with a liquid admission line, and'another opening for connection with a vacuum line, said openings being vertically spaced, said body having a vertical passage whichcommunicates with the lowermost of said openings and opens through the lower end of said body, a vertical tube of less' diameter than said vertical passage and communicating with the uppermost of said openings, said tube being secured at its :upper end to said body, extending downwardly through said vertical passage and projecting below the lower end of said body, the lower end of said tube having an upwardly facing valve head and arradial opening above said valve head, a collar surrounding the downwardly projecting lower end portion of said tube and having a downwardly projecting nipple for reception in a bottle neck, said collar and nipple having a passagesurrounding said downwardly projecting lower end portion of said tube, this passage being communicable with the aforesaid passage, the lower end of said 'nipple' being provided with a downwardly facing valve seat for contact with the aforesaid valve head, one gasket surrounding said nipple to seat'upon the bottle neck, a second gasket at the upper side of said collar to seat against the lowerend of the aforesaid body,

and spring means normally holding said collar depressed to a position in which said second gasket is spaced below said lower 'endof said body and said valve seat is seated against'said valve head; a

23. A control valve for a bottle filling apparatus, comprising an elongated casing having a main vacuum port and two other vacuum ports, one slidable valve body in said casing and constructed to selectively control communication of said main vacuum port with said twotaddia communication between said additional ports, and an operating connection from said one valve body to said second valve body'for utilizing the former to actuate a the latter.

24. A control valve for a bottle filling apparatus, comprising an elongated casing having a main vacuum port andtwo other vacuum ports, one slidable valve body in said casing and constructed to selectively control communication of said main vacuum port with said two additional ports, an operating stem connected with said one slidable valve body and projecting beyond one end of said casing, the other end of said casing having additional vacuum ports, a second slidable valve body within this end portion of said casing and constructed to control communication between said additional ports, spring means interposed between said valve bodies and effective to push said second valve body toward said other end of said casing when said one valve body is moved in this direction, said spring means being compressible to allow further movement of said one valve'body in the same direction when said second valve body comes to rest, and connecting means between the two valve bodies and constructed tolimit the expansive action of said spring means as said one valve body is moved toward said one, end of said casing, whereby said second valve body will then ,be pulled by said one valve body.

References 'Citedinthe fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

